Participating in the mine rescue team will help you develop several interesting skills that can help you in your career.

Gas Meter/BG4 Training

On the mine rescue team, you will learn how to use new pieces of equipment. The team uses the iBrid 6 gas meter manufactured by Industrial Scientific and the BG4 self-contained breathing apparatus made by Drager. Team members receive training to make sure they know how to properly operate, calibrate, maintain, and repair these devices. At some contests, members have the opportunity to compete against others in skills challenges testing their knowledge of the machines. If you like tinkering with machines and making sure they work properly, you can be a member of the team’s technician team, a subgroup of the team that is responsible for making sure all of the equipment is ready for competition.

First Aid

Mine rescue teams often have to provide first aid for disaster victims. Injuries the team has to treat could be as simple as a sprain or laceration, or as threatening as a sucking chest wound. In coal contests, the team only needs to provide first aid to life-threatening injuries, but in metal/non-metal contests, the team must provide first aid for injuries of any kind. If you are interested in first aid, you can be a member of the team’s first aid team, a subgroup of the team that takes the lead during first aid problems.

Firefighting

Underground fires may occur in underground emergencies, especially in coal mines. The team needs to know how to extinguish the fire and make sure the scene is safe afterwards. Occasionally, the team participates in firefighting training events at different facilities.